The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1887-09-29
rom q Washington Letter. J

Since Distinguished Him Manifested /,
His Youth.
tFrom Washington letter.
1 had quite pleasant conversation
last evening with one of Presiden
Cleveland's old schoolmates, who is nov
occupying position here in one of the
Government departments. Tho ole
schoolmate of tho Presidents was bor1
at Fayetteville, New York, tho town thai
Mr.. Cleveland visited some weeks ago.
He told me that Fayetteville is beau.
tiful village of somo 1000 or 1900 in
habitants, lying in u romantic region
about seven miles cast Of Syracuse, and
is noted among other things for its pro-
duction Of limo. The Cleveland family
removed to that place in the year 1910,
when the Rev. Richard Cleveland, the
Presidents father, became pastor OF the
Presbyterian Church, aud when Grover
was only three years Old
The gentleman referred to related
some interesting "reminiscences of the
Presidents boyhood days at Fayotte-
WIG.
Their first school days were presided
over by o. d. Blanchard, who is still
living.
"dRovE" A GREAT FAvoRITE.
"'Grove, as tho boys all knew him, :"
said my informant, "was always favor
ito in and out of school. He was D
strong, good-natured YOUTH about as
studious as the average school boy, and
did not, as recollect him, ovince any
special liking for books. Indeed, there
was nothing about him when wo were
school boys together that indicated
other boys there who were called bright
or. Although Grove was full Of fun
and joined in all the boyiSh sports, such
riding down hill, snow balling and
the carrying off of front gates, there was
a certain marked earpcstness i'll his man
ner which distinguished him from the
othcr boys. Whom we went to the
Fayetteville Academy, Grove belonged
TO debating society, and L frequently
heard him III debate. He was not really
fluent speaker, but 7 remember very
we'll that he rapidly developed into
close and forcible rcasoner. If his argu-
mentative blows did not flash with
brilliancy, they We're heavy and effective
for boy of fourteen years of age.
YOUNG CLEVELAND COURAGEOUS.
"GroYer was = decidedly counsoour
boy. He would patiently bear groat
deal of hectorilI2 before he would fight,
but he was hard ant lgoni8t when his
wrath became kindle6. L recollect one
occasion when he gave an exhibition,
ability to defend him self against the
assaults of fellow almost twice his size.
This individual was ono Of our school
bullies. Young Cleveland had inter
vened to protect small boy from
severe cutting which the bully was in
nicting upon him, whcrCupon he turned
and said: If you don't shut up I'll slap
your mouth Il don't think you WILL,
said Grover very cody, as he straight
e1ed himself for battle. But the bully
did slap him, and Grove went in
rorSh and tumble, and in very short
tine he had his enemy down believing
loudly for mercy. He was let up with a
bloody nose, and reputation as o
fighter irretrievably lost. Yhis great
victory established the conquerors title
to hero of the school, and we were never
thereafter afraid if We had Grove
Cleveland On our side. He was ono of
the few boys who dared to make the
hazardous ascent of the bclfry OF the
academy by way of the lightning rod. 1
remombor that few Of us climbed up
ono night, when he was Of the party, to
usher in the Fourth of July by ringing
the bell at twelve O'Clock. We were u
little early and went to sleep in the
belfry, around the floor of which there
was no railing to prevent our rolling of.
/ believe on this occasion the trustees,
or somebody else in authority, had for
biddon the ringing of the bell but We
couldn't see how the nations birthday
could be properly celebrated at Faye tie
vile, ut least without 'whooping up the
old bell, and so at II O'Clock we made
her ring! While we wore making oil tho
noise we could up there wo heard other
noises in the building below us, and
having the fear of the trustees before our
eyes, rapidly slid down the rod! We
reached the ground safely with the OK
ceptiou of Grover, one of whose legs
causnU on q split in the rod, which held
him there firmly and he could neither
get up nor down. We liberated him
finally, after much difficulty, but his leg
was pretty badly hurt. He was already
very fond OF fishing, and [ sat with him
many day on o log on the banks oI
Limestone creek and fshed for suckers
He WAS n quiet and earnest fisherman
and usually took homo n good string.
have always thought it little singular
that he never aared for horseback riding
as O boy. / have no recollection of evcl
seeing him on horses back. L don't
'oowever, think he was afraid of a horse
y any means.
lie CLERKS IN A DRUG STORE.
"When Growers father moved from
fayetteville, young Cleveland entered {
drug store at that place, whore he re
manned until 1868 or '54. He boarded
with his employer, and was at that time
one of the most popular young mon il
tho town. Ho was always genial, friendly
and accommodating, making first clas
clerk. He was firm friend and N
agreeable companion, though not in
clined to be demonstrativo, moro apt t.
listen quietly than to lead i'll converse
tion. Ho was thoroughly upright, truth
full and conscientious, and all who knew
him regretted when, at the age Lf seven
teen, no left the village to join his father